Friction Pad on Portable Handheld Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

A frictional pad is adhered to a handheld electronic device and disposable and held in a non-adhesive, non-slip fashion on an upward facing support surface. The frictional pad includes a polyurethane dome adhered to the handheld electronic device by the adhesive film. The dome has a broad, flat shape with an outfacing surface facing the upward facing support surface. The outfacing surface of the dome contacts the upward facing support surface and is tacky to releasably hold the handheld electronic device to the upward facing support surface.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/979,601,filed Dec. 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,518,510; which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/290,615, filed Dec.29, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/371,853,filed Aug. 9, 2010; which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

RELATED PATENT(S)/APPLICATION(S)

This is related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,673,409; 7,125,602; and 7,252,867;and US Patent Publication Nos. 2009-0004420; 2006-0121250 and2010-0001151; which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. This is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/979,690, filed Dec. 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,501,294; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/958,767, filed Aug. 5, 2013; which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This is alsorelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/711,396, filed Dec. 11,2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.This is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/793,619,filed Mar. 11, 2013, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/704,790, filed Sep. 24, 2012; which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a frictional pad to beadhered to a portable handheld electronic device to substantially retainthe device on an upwardly facing surface.

2. Related Art

Frictional holding pads have been developed for placing on a horizontalsurface to hold and retain a handheld item without adhesive. Forexample, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,673,409; 7,125,602; and 7,252,867; and USPatent Publication No. 2009-0004420.

Other pads have been developed for placing on the handheld item itself.For example, see egrips® anti-skid silicon skins or appliqués;GripNStay® adhesive grips; Grip-It-Strips® slip resistant texturedstrips with self adhesive backing; US Patent Publication Nos.2006-0121250; 2006-0198978; 2006-0154029; 2005-0271847; and U.S. Pat.No. 6,117,526. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,986,496; 5,508,084; 6,372,323and 6,610,382. Stickers or decals have been developed that can beapplied to cell phones. For example, see CellGells™ adhesive decals.Another pad has been developed that is tacky and clings to the handhelditem. For example, see Gadget Grips® frictional pads by HandStands® andUS Patent Publication No. 2006-0121250.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop africtional pad securable to a handheld portable electronic devicecapable of non-mechanically and non-chemically or non-adhesivelyretaining the electronic device on an upwardly facing surface by thefrictional pad.

The invention provides a frictional pad to be adhered to a handheldelectronic device and to be disposable on an upward facing supportsurface to hold the handheld electronic device on the upward facingsupport surface in a non-adhesive, non-slip fashion. The frictional padcomprises an adhesive film to adhere to a surface of the handheldelectronic device. A polyurethane dome is affixed to the adhesive filmand adheres to the handheld electronic device by the adhesive film. Thedome is broad and flat, and has an outfacing surface. The outfacingsurface of the dome contacts the upward facing support surface and istacky to releasably hold the handheld electronic device to the upwardfacing support surface. The polyurethane dome is formed by polyol andcatalyst in a ratio of between 0.63 and 0.85.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, thedome can have a hardness between 10 and 35 Shore D, or between 12 and 21Shore D. In addition, the outfacing surface of the dome can have acoefficient of friction of between 0.3 and 0.1 in accordance with ASTM D1894. Furthermore, the pad can have a thickness between the outfacingsurface and the adhesive film of between 1-2 mm.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, thedome can be translucent or transparent. A graphic layer can be disposedbetween the adhesive film and the dome, and visible through the dome.

In addition, the invention provides a frictional pad to be adhered to ahandheld electronic device and disposable on an upward facing supportsurface to hold the handheld electronic device on the upward facingsupport surface in a non-adhesive, non-slip fashion. The frictional padcomprises an adhesive film to adhere to a surface of the handheldelectronic device. A polyurethane dome is adhered to the handheldelectronic device by the adhesive film. The dome has an outfacingsurface facing the upward facing support surface. The outfacing surfacecontacts the upward facing support surface and is tacky to releasablyhold the handheld electronic device to the upward facing supportsurface. The polyurethane dome includes a polyurethane material beingformed by a polyol and a catalyst in a ratio of 0.63 to 0.85. The domeis translucent or transparent. A graphic layer is disposed between theadhesive film and the dome and is visible through the dome. Theoutfacing surface of the dome has a coefficient of friction of between0.3 and 0.1 in accordance with ASTM D 1894. The dome has a hardnessbetween 12 and 21 Shore D. The pad has a thickness between the outfacingsurface and the adhesive film of between 1-2 mm.

Furthermore, the invention provides a frictional pad comprising anadhesive film adhered to a surface of a handheld electronic device. Apolyurethane dome is affixed to the adhesive film and is adhered to thehandheld electronic device by the adhesive film. The dome has anoutfacing surface capable of facing an upward facing support surface.The outfacing surface of the dome contacts the upward facing supportsurface and is tacky and to releasably hold the handheld electronicdevice to the upward facing support surface. The outfacing surface ofthe dome has a coefficient of friction of between 0.3 and 0.1 inaccordance with ASTM D 1894. The dome has a hardness between 12 and 21Shore D.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frictional pad in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention shown on a handheld portableelectronic device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the frictional pad of FIG. 1 shown on a backsurface of the electronic device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the frictional pad and electronic device ofFIG. 1 shown on an upwardly facing surface, such as a dashboard onconsole of a vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the frictional pad of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the frictional pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another frictional pad inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another frictional pad inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another frictional pad inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, andspecific language will be used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a frictional pad, indicated generally at10, in an example implementation in accordance with the invention isshown disposed on and/or adhered to a handheld portable electronicdevice 14 to retain the device on an upwardly facing surface 18. Thehandheld portable electronic device 14 can be a cell phone; an MP3player (iPod® or the like) or other digital music player; a gamingdevice (Nintendo® DS; PSP®; etc.); a camera; a global positioning system(GPS) system; a remote control; a personal digital assistant (PDA); aradio; a two-way radio; a citizens band radio; a walkie-talkie; a videorecorder; a cassette player and/or recorder; a mini-cassette recorder; aDVD player; a portable television; a digital camera; a video camera; aportable computer (laptop computer, iPad®, or the like); a radardetector; an e-book or e-reader (Kindle®, Nook®, iPad®, Sony Reader™, orthe like), etc.

The handheld portable electronic device can be mobile and transportable.The handheld portable electronic device can be carried by a user, suchas in a pocket or purse, and also can be held in the user's hand(s). Thehandheld portable electronic device can also be deployed in a vehicle,such as removed from a pocket or purse, and from the user's hand. Thus,the upwardly facing surface 18 can be a dashboard or console or armrestof a vehicle. For example, the handheld portable electronic device canbe a cell phone or smart phone that a user utilizes in his or her handduring use and/or while traveling, carries in his or her pocket or pursewhen not in use (and/or while in use in some instances), and is desiredto be accessible and/or visible when traveling in a vehicle, such as ifutilizing a GPS or map function or a smart phone. The upwardly facingsurface faces generally upwardly, and can be inclined or horizontal, andcan be flat or curved in one or more directions. The upwardly facingsurface can be mobile or displaceable, and subject to acceleration (anddeceleration and/or centripetal), and/or impact or bumps, such as avehicle surface. Movement, momentum and/or acceleration or changestherein can be transferred from the upwardly facing surface to thehandheld portable electronic device through the frictional pad. The pad10 can be adhered to a surface, such as a back surface, of theelectronic device 14, and selectively disposed and held in anon-adhesive, non-slip fashion on the surface 18 by the frictional pad.

The frictional pad 10 can include an adhesive film 22 adhered to thesurface of the electronic device 14. The adhesive film can use achemical adhesive to adhere. The adhesive can be selected to providesufficient adhesion between the pad and device without separating as thedevice and pad are repeatedly inserted and removed from a pocket ofclothing or a clothing accessory (e.g. a purse). The adhesive can alsobe selected so that the pad can be removed if desired. Thus, theadhesive film can include a releasable adhesive, as opposed to apermanent adhesive. The adhesive film can be a repositionable adhesivefilm releasably and repositionably adhered to the handheld device. Theadhesive film can have an adhesive bond between the pad and the handheldportable electronic device. The adhesive film also has a contact surfacebetween the adhesive film or pad and the handheld portable electronicdevice. Furthermore, the adhesive and/or the adhesive film can besubstantially transparent, or at least translucent, so that the surfaceof the device can be visible through the pad. The adhesive and/oradhesive layer can be a removable 3M Controltac™ adhesive.

The adhesive film 22 can be disposed on a substrate 26. The substrate 26can also be a film. In one aspect, the substrate can be substantiallynon-absorbent. The substrate can provide a surface, such as an upper orinner surface opposite the adhesive that can be printable. In addition,the substrate can be substantially transparent, or at least translucent,so that the surface of the device can be visible through the pad. Thesubstrate can be a printed 3M Graphics Vinyl. Alternatively, thesubstrate can be a polyester film. The substrate can be any laminated(non-porous) substrate, including: PP, PVC, PET, ABS, polyester, regularsticker paper, vinyl, or tin metal (foil). Alternatively, the substratecan have be other films with other characteristics, such as reflective,metal shine, textured, etc.

A dome 30 is affixed to the adhesive film 22 and/or substrate 26, andadhered to the electronic device 14 by the adhesive film. The dome 30 issecured to the adhesive film and/or substrate. The dome can have abroad, flat, squat shape with an outfacing surface 34 that faces andcontacts the support surface. The outfacing surface can be smooth andflat and parallel with the adhesive layer. In addition, the outfacingsurface can be surrounded by a radius perimeter 36. Thus, the perimeterof the outfacing surface curves toward the adhesive layer and electronicdevice. In one aspect, all of the outfacing surface 34 can be flat andsmooth and continuous between the radiused perimeter. The dome, padand/or outward facing surface can be tacky to cling to the electronicdevice, such as by mechanical or specific adhesion. Furthermore, the padcan be substantially transparent, or at least translucent, so that thesurface of the device can be visible through the pad. The dome can beformed of polyurethane.

The dome 30 or the outfacing surface 34 thereof provides a non-slipsurface that can engage the support surface 18 and retain or hold theelectronic device 14 on the upward facing support surface. Thus, theoutfacing surface 34 can be sufficiently tacky to cling to the surface18, but sufficiently smooth or slippery to slid in and out of pockets ofclothing and clothing accessories. The tackiness of the outfacingsurface can be obtained through various factors, which can includematerial, hardness/softness, and coefficient of friction. As describedabove, the dome can be formed of polyurethane. The polyurethane can beformed by combining a polyol with a catalyst or hardener. In one aspect,the ratio of polyol to catalyst can be between 0.63 to 0.85, so thatthere is more polyol than catalyst. In another aspect, the ratio ofpolyol to catalyst can be between 0.63 to 0.75. Typical polyurethane isobtained by mixing polyol and catalyst in a 1:1 ratio. In addition, inone aspect, the outfacing surface 34 or dome 30 can have a hardnessbetween 10 and 35 Shore D. In another aspect, the outfacing surface 34or dome 30 can have a hardness between 12 and 21 Shore D. In anotheraspect, the outfacing surface 34 or dome 30 can have a hardness between12 and 18 Shore D. Other non-tacky stickers or decals typically can havea hardness of 60 Shore D or harder. Furthermore, the outfacing surface34 can have a coefficient of friction of between 0.3 and 0.1 inaccordance with ASTM D 1894. Thus, the outwardly facing surface can betacky to cling to the upwardly facing surface, but smooth to facilitateinsertion and removal from a pocket or purse.

A strength of the adhesive bond between the adhesive film and thehandheld portable electronic device can be greater than a tacky clingbetween the outfacing surface of the pad and the upward facing supportsurface. Thus, the pad remains on the device while the device and padare removed from the support surface. In addition, the contact surfacebetween the adhesive layer of the pad and the handheld electronic devicecan be greater than the outfacing surface of the pad contacting thesupport surface to further retain the pad on the device as the deviceand pad are removed from the support surface. Furthermore, the contactsurface between the adhesive layer of the pad and the device can have aperimeter 35 greater than and circumscribing a perimeter 37 of theoutfacing surface of the pad that contacts the support surface.

A graphic layer 38 can be disposed between the adhesive film 22 and thedome 30, or between the substrate 26 and the dome 30. The graphic layercan include ink disposed on or printed on the substrate. For example,the graphic layer can be an aqueous based inkjet ink. The graphic layercan include indicia, such as a logo, a picture, etc. In addition, thegraphic layer can include directions for use, orientation, care, etc.Furthermore, the graphic layer can be or can include other inclusions,as described in greater detail below. The graphic layer 38 can bevisible through the dome 30. The graphic layer and/or inclusion can besmaller or can have a smaller size than the substrate and dome such thatthe graphic layer and inclusion are surrounded by a perimeter of thedome and substrate.

The pad 10 can have a rectangular shape with rounded corners, as shown.Alternatively, other shapes are possible, such as circular or scripted(i.e. shaped-like letters). In one aspect, the pad is smaller than thesurface of the electronic device to which it is applied. In addition,the pad 10 can have a thickness between 1-2 mm in one aspect, and1.2-1.5 mm in another aspect. The thickness of the pad is dimensionallystable so that the pad is not generally compressible. The pad can have astiffness with a self-supporting flat layer, yet can be flexible enoughto be bent to conform to a curvature of the electronic device. Theadhesive layer can be sufficient to overcome the stiffness of the padand maintain the curved or bent nature of the pad when adhered to thedevice. In addition, the pad can be elastic to return to itsself-supporting flat layer. The pad and the outfacing surface can besubstantially solid, flat, smooth and continuous.

As indicated above, the graphic layer 38 can be or can include aninclusion. The inclusions can be embedded in the dome. For example, thegraphic layer can be an etched metallic layer 42. The metallic layer canbe etched to form the indicia. Other inclusions can be an LED (or otherlight source) and a battery power source; a hologram or lenticularartwork; an RFID computer chip or tag; a mirror; one or more gems orfaux gems; etc. For example, referring to FIG. 6, another frictional pad10 b as described above is shown with an LED 42 electrically coupled toa battery 46. The LED may remain continuously activated or lit.Alternatively, the LED may be activated, or the leads for the LEDselectively contacted by the battery, such as by pressure applied to thepad. Alternatively, a light sensor can be electrically coupled betweenthe battery and the LED to activate the LED in low light conditions.Other electronics can be included for special effects, such as flashing,etc. It will be appreciated that multiple lights or LEDs of one or morecolor can be included or embedded in the dome. As another example,referring to FIG. 7, another frictional pad 10 c as described above isshown with a gem or faux gem 50 embedded in the dome. The inclusion(s)can be disposed on the adhesive film and/or substrate, and surrounded bythe material of the dome so that the inclusion projects into the dome.Thus, the inclusions can be inclusions for the dome and/or the graphicslayer.

The dome can also include inclusions embedded therein. For example, thedome can include a scented material, such as a scented oil, that ispermeable through the polyurethane material of the dome. In addition,the dome can be colored and translucent. Furthermore, the dome caninclude a florescent material.

Referring to FIG. 8, another frictional pad 10 d which is similar inmany respects to those described above, can have an opaque dome 30 dwith a graphic layer 38 d, such as printing, on the outfacing surface34. The opaque dome 30 d can have a color to match or complement thehandheld device.

As mentioned above, the pad can have any shape. In addition, the pad canbe “scripted,” i.e. shaped as particular letters, symbols, etc.; whichcan be interconnected or can be one or more separate and discreteportions.

As discussed above, the dome or outfacing surface can have a radiusperimeter. The pad can be made by pouring the polyurethane material ontop of the substrate and graphic layer to form the dome. Thus, theradius perimeter is obtained by individual pouring each pad or dome,without stamping or cutting the pads from a continuous layer. Thegraphic layer can be printed on the substrate having the adhesive filmopposite the graphic layer. The graphic layer can be a discrete graphiccontained within the pad or dome, as opposed to a continuous graphic.

In use, the adhesive film of the pad can be adhered to the electronicdevice in a desired location. The electronic device, with the padthereon, can be placed on the upward facing support surface with theoutfacing surface contacting the support surface. The electronic device,with the pad thereon, can be removed from the support surface and placedin a pocket of clothing or a clothing accessory. The electronic device,with the pad thereon, can be removed from the pocket and placed on thesupport surface. The above described dome and outfacing surface of thepad are sufficient to cling to the support surface, without hamperingremoval from the pocket or picking up lint or other unwanted items.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

1. A frictional pad device configured to be adhered to a handheldelectronic device and disposable on an upward facing support surface tohold the handheld electronic device on the upward facing support surfacein a non-adhesive, non-slip fashion, the frictional pad devicecomprising: a) an adhesive film configured to adhere to a surface of thehandheld electronic device; b) a polyurethane dome affixed to theadhesive film and configured to adhere to the handheld electronic deviceby the adhesive film; c) the dome being broad and flat, and having anoutfacing surface; d) the outfacing surface of the dome capable ofcontacting the upward facing support surface and being tacky and capableof releasably holding the handheld electronic device to the upwardfacing support surface; and e) the polyurethane dome being formed bypolyol and catalyst in a ratio of between 0.63 and 0.85.
 2. The devicein accordance with claim 1, wherein the dome has a hardness between 10and 35 Shore D.
 3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein theoutfacing surface of the dome has a coefficient of friction of between0.3 and 0.1 in accordance with ASTM D
 1894. 4. The device in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the dome is translucent or transparent; andfurther comprising a graphic layer disposed between the adhesive filmand the dome and visible through the dome.
 5. The device in accordancewith claim 4, further comprising: a film with the adhesive film on oneside; and the graphic layer printed on the other side.
 6. The device inaccordance with claim 4, wherein the graphic layer further comprises anetched metallic layer.
 7. The device in accordance with claim 4, furthercomprising: a substrate with the adhesive film on one side and thegraphic layer printed on the other side; and the substrate is at leasttranslucent so that the entire pad except for the graphic layer istranslucent or transparent.
 8. The device in accordance with claim 1,wherein the pad has a thickness between the outfacing surface and theadhesive film of between 1-2 mm.
 9. The device in accordance with claim1, wherein the outfacing surface of the dome is surrounded by a radiusperimeter and is flat and smooth and continuous between the radiusperimeter.
 10. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a strengthof an adhesive bond between the adhesive film of the pad and thehandheld electronic device is greater than a tacky cling between theoutfacing surface of the pad and the upward facing support surface. 11.The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a contact surface betweenthe adhesive layer of the pad and the handheld electronic device isgreater than the outfacing surface of the pad configured to contact theupward facing support surface.
 12. The device in accordance with claim1, wherein a contact surface between the adhesive layer of the pad has aperimeter greater than and circumscribing a perimeter of the outfacingsurface of the pad configured to contact the upward facing supportsurface.
 13. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dome hasa rectangular shape.
 14. The device in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe dome has a circular shape.
 15. A frictional pad device configured tobe adhered to a handheld electronic device and disposable on an upwardfacing support surface to hold the handheld electronic device on theupward facing support surface in a non-adhesive, non-slip fashion, thefrictional pad device comprising: a) an adhesive film configured toadhere to a surface of the handheld electronic device; b) a polyurethanedome configured to adhere to the handheld electronic device by theadhesive film; c) the dome having an outfacing surface capable of facingthe upward facing support surface; d) the outfacing surface capable ofcontacting the upward facing support surface and being tacky and capableof releasably holding the handheld electronic device to the upwardfacing support surface; e) the polyurethane dome includes a polyurethanematerial being formed by a polyol and a catalyst in a ratio of 0.63 to0.85; f) the dome being translucent or transparent; g) a graphic layerdisposed between the adhesive film and the dome and visible through thedome; h) the outfacing surface of the dome having a coefficient offriction of between 0.3 and 0.1 in accordance with ASTM D 1894; i) thedome having a hardness between 12 and 21 Shore D; and j) the pad has athickness between the outfacing surface and the adhesive film of between1-2 mm.
 16. The device in accordance with claim 15, further comprising:a film with the adhesive film on one side and the graphic layer printedon the other side.
 17. The device in accordance with claim 15, furthercomprising: a substrate with the adhesive film on one side and thegraphic layer printed on the other side; and the substrate istranslucent or transparent so that the entire pad except for the graphiclayer is at least translucent.
 18. A frictional pad, comprising: a) anadhesive film capable of being adhered to a surface of a handheldelectronic device; b) a polyurethane dome affixed to the adhesive filmand capable of being adhered to the handheld electronic device by theadhesive film; c) the dome having an outfacing surface capable of facingan upward facing support surface; d) the outfacing surface of the domecapable of contacting the upward facing support surface and being tackyand capable of releasably holding the handheld electronic device to theupward facing support surface; e) the outfacing surface of the domehaving a coefficient of friction of between 0.3 and 0.1 in accordancewith ASTM D 1894; and f) the dome having a hardness between 12 and 21Shore D.
 19. The device in accordance with claim 18, further comprising:the polyurethane dome being formed by polyol and catalyst in a ratio ofbetween 0.63 and 0.85.